Shane Alexander
Economic Development Director at the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) focusing on Business Retention & Expansion (BRE).
Shane’s portfolio consists of Food & Beverages industries as well as Distribution & Logistics. In his role, Shane looks to bring about job growth and economic prosperity for not only Birmingham and Jefferson County, but the surrounding six counties.
Shane holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, with a focus on local public service. Prior to joining the BBA in September 2024, he previously worked in Corporate Strategy Execution for Regions Banks and was the Chief-of-Staff for Commissioner Jeremy H. Oden at the Alabama Public Service Commission.
Outside of his role at BBA, Shane is a founding board member for the Birmingham chapter of Liverpool Football Club’s supporters group, he attends Faith Presbyterian Church and lives in Vestavia with his family.
Shane’s Target Industries
Birmingham has a rich culinary tradition embedded in its DNA. The region boasts innovative, award-winning restaurants and chefs, as well as rapidly expanding food and beverage manufacturers and distributors. This dynamic landscape has attracted new players like Smucker’s, investing over $1 billion in a manufacturing facility, and nurtured local success stories such as Milo’s Tea, Red Diamond, and Royal Cup. Home to seven James Beard Award winners and the prestigious base for Southern Living and Food and Wine publications, Birmingham’s culinary scene serves as a hub of chef excellence in the South.
Things to Know:
- Over the past five years, 20 food & beverage companies have announced 1,300+ jobs and over $1 billion in capital investment.
- Birmingham ranks among the top in the nation for soft drink manufacturing jobs, boasting over five times the national average.
- There are more than 12,000 food and beverage employees in the Greater Birmingham Region.
- In a three-year period, there has been 12,000+ graduates from 2- and 4-year programs with a degree related to food and beverage manufacturing in the state of Alabama.
Learn more about our Target Industries here.
The Greater Birmingham Region, strategically poised in the Southeast, serves as a vital distribution and logistics hub. With the advantage of five major Interstates, a cargo-ready airport and three Class 1 railroads, including Norfolk Southern, CSX, and BNSF, it offers an unmatched infrastructure for efficient operations. The region’s skilled workforce ensures rapid customer service fulfillment. Since 2018, Birmingham has witnessed a surge in distribution centers, with major players like Amazon, Carvana, Lowe’s and FedEx Ground leading the way. This influx has generated over 2,800+ jobs and injected more than $670 million into the region’s thriving economy.
Things to Know:
- Within a one-day truck trip, 38% of the U.S. population can be reached, and a two-day truck trip gives access to 78% of the population.
- There are more than 100 flights daily to and from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
- The Port of Birmingham has a yearly economic impact of nearly $130 million.
- Over the past five years, 20+ distribution and logistics companies have announced 2,800+ jobs and over $670 million in capital investment.
Learn more about our Target Industries here.